I know we've talked about this before, but I'm looking for ideas. I've copy/pasted my blog post here, since I know you people are the most creative ones on the planet!!!!

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Angela is determined to have her bedroom redone in a pirate theme. Last year while on her Make A Wish trip, she kept talking about "a pirate room" and we couldn't figure out why. She talked of a ship's wheel, a mast, a "ship window" (a port hole) and, of course, a ship. It wasn't until we got home that we figured out what she was talking about.

You see, on Extreme Home Makeover, they often send the families to Disney World. Then, when the family comes home, there is a bus and Ty waiting in front of the house. The family goes in, and many of the kids have a Pirate Room waiting for them! Angela figured since we were at Disney, and the whole Make A Wish thing is a big deal like EHMO, and since she WANTED a pirate room, that must be what was waiting for her at home.

When we arrived home after a week in sunny Orlando, Angela RAN to her room, threw open the door, and stood there speechless. There was her old bed. The same bedding. The same walls. The same drawings taped to the walls. No pirates. No ships wheel. No port hole. No ships mast. Just her old room.

I was heartbroken for her. Her shoulders drooped, and a tear ran down her face. There was no way to protect her from this disappointment. She would just have to get over it. That's life kid, you just don't get what you want. It doesn't just appear like it does on EHMO.

Only she didn't get over it. She has spent A YEAR asking for a pirate room. I've tried to talk her into all kinds of different themes. Themes that are much easier to work with. Girly themes with flowers or dots. Even (gulp) High School Musical. But if you know Angela, she is anything but a girly girl. (she's so much like I was at that age! I HATED my pink room! LOL) She is all boy. Must come from having 4 big brothers. LOL

So I've promised her a pirate room, only I have no idea how to do this really. I have a new friend who is pretty smart about pirates and the "must have's" for a pirate room. Now, if I could just figure out her bed! If I had the choice, I'd spend the buku bucks and buy her one of the pirate beds I've found online. But Angela sleeps in a hospital bed, which is tricky to incorporate. I'm thinking just a ship-looking headboard and footboard would work, but have no idea how to do it.

While most 13 year olds outgrow their phases pretty quickly, Angela isn't a typical tween, and will be in the phase for a long time. Who knows? All I know is she wants a pirate room REeeeeeaaaaalllltyyyy bad! LOL

So if anyone reading is into constructing things, can you think of a way to design a pirate ship-like bed out of a full-size hospital bed?

Tonight we're going to let her watch "Pirates of the Caribbean" for the first time. I'm hoping she'll get over her pirate obsession by watching it. With my luck, it'll make the obsession worse. LOL

_________________
~Leah~

Did you visit my mom's blog today?
http://www.gardenofeagan.blogspot.com

And don't forget to visit MINE!
http://itsmylifemom.blogspot.com/

mom to Noah 23, Tyler 21, Angela 14 (DS)

Leah, I LOVE decorating.

Perosnally, (because I don't have much money!) I'd try to decorate the room in a polka dots and stripes red-and-blue theme. I'd throw in a large chest for storage, (that you could paint a scull and crossed bones on or something similar, alternatively -I think- you can cut the patern out from paper, glue it on the wood, and then varnish on top of it to seal it.)

Honestly, I'd bolt a broom handle or similar on the wall at the head of her bed, and hang some fabric and a flag there, and turn it into a mast -then her bed could be a pretend ship.

If you look on ebay, on home and gardens category, and do a search for "pirate" you get oodles of things you could use for props!

Here are some I found, there are lots more:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Worn-Ship-Boat-Pirate-Captain-Steering-Wheel_W0QQitemZ220365520911QQihZ012QQcategoryZ38238QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


http://cgi.ebay.com/PIRATE-THEME-SHELF-RACK-BOOK-ENDS-KIDS-ROOM-BUCCANEERS_W0QQitemZ350169222981QQihZ022QQcategoryZ115973QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


http://cgi.ebay.com/PIRATE-THEME-SHELF-RACK-BOOK-ENDS-KIDS-ROOM-BUCCANEERS_W0QQitemZ350169222981QQihZ022QQcategoryZ115973QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


I LOVE it when girls aren't in the whole princess thing personally *LOL*

Anna

_________________
Anna

Mummy to Matilda (2005,) Philip (2007) and Teddy (DS, 10/2009)

Could the grass skirt with the pot leaves be used somehow? Certainly if pirates wore skirts they'd be made of pot leaves.

Obviously I'm not very creative!

_________________


"There's a release in knowing the truth no matter how anguishing it is. You come finally to the irreducible thing, and there's nothing left to do but pick it up and hold it. Then, at least, you can enter the severe mercy of acceptance." Sue Monk Kidd

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful people can make a difference, in fact it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Meade

Ann, married to Tim, mom to Sally, Mark, Jane, John (12/02, DS), Paul and Alice

www.caringbridge.org/visit/johnbremer

ROFLMAO Ann! I'm going to go the party store, and buy a bunch of grass skirts and hang them at chair-rail height on one wall, then put an ocean mural above them. Yeah, that otta be great! Seems like the perfect beach scene to me!

Seriously though, I've been thinking about the black/red/white thing. If I get my way I'm going to move her down to our basement bedroom. (I know, I've been talking about this forever. ) Dean doesn't think HE'S ready for her to be down there (yeah, cuz he hears her so much during the night. NOT!) but I am.

So Anyway, that's an "L" shaped room. I've found some very cool ocean/beach murals and will put one along a short end of the L. And put her bed up against it, so it's like she's on the beach. Then the rest of the room I'll do white with a black stripe zig zagging around, with large red and black dots placed randomly around the room. Not a lot, just a few. Hmmm...maybe I'll ditch the mural part.

Now, if I could just get rid of my boys CRAP that's in that room! UGH! I told them 2 weeks ago if they didn't come get the junk I'm going to throw it out, yet I don't have the heart to throw it out. (especially Tyler, who's OCD makes him very protective of stuff.) And yet, if he was THAT protective, wouldn't he have come gotten the crap? Anyway, I don't have anywhere to store the stuff. Maybe that will be my project for the weekend...cleaning out that room. Once it's cleaned out maybe Dean will be willing to move Angela down there. Right now it probably just seems like a lot of work...which it is!

_________________
~Leah~

Did you visit my mom's blog today?
http://www.gardenofeagan.blogspot.com

And don't forget to visit MINE!
http://itsmylifemom.blogspot.com/

mom to Noah 23, Tyler 21, Angela 14 (DS)

How about a mdf or plywood cut out of a ships wheel either at the foot or headboard end of the bed.
A cheap telescope, paint a kingsize sheet in the stripes and tak it accross the ceiling like a big sail.
The grass skirt could be used a seaweed......

_________________
Diane, Owen 28/12/03 DS VI GERD & Emma 4/7/06 AKA Penguin
Listen to my singing at www.myspace.com/dianesdemo

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
Helen Keller

"sea-WEED" wink-wink-nudge!!!!
Ahem. Sorry, couldn't resist *LOL*

Anna

_________________
Anna

Mummy to Matilda (2005,) Philip (2007) and Teddy (DS, 10/2009)

Watching Pirates of the Caribbean is only going to make it worse and she's going to fall madly in love with Orlando Bloom!!!

I too was thinking of the cut-outs for the headboard and footboard. Maybe a rectangle painted with the usually back windows of the big ship (screwed to the wall) and then maybe two pieces cut and then hindged for the bow. You could even maybe try to make it into a bench (the bow, triangular shape) with the sides coming up a little, slap on a papasan cushion and fluffy pillows.

You'll get some really great ideas from the movie - love it! (and that hottie Orlando Bloom )

_________________






"Life is What You Make it..."
www.henryfamily-lifeiswhatumakeit.blogspot.com

Jackie (34 yrs.) - wife to Brian (31 yrs.) and Momma to Asa (3 yrs.).

Have you checked online?? Here is a link to a place called WALLNUTZ. They have some great peel and stick murals and other decorations (VERY easy!)....

http://www.wallnutz.com/search.php


Good luck!! Can't wait to see the finished project!!

_________________
Janet (44) and Jeff (44)
Joshua (angel) '85
Sarah-age 22
Jaret-age 5
Jacey-born 2/22/08 (dx w/ Ds 9/10/07)

Found another one - check this out!! It's awesome and is only $84!!

http://www.decorplace.com/pirates-wall-mural.cfm

_________________
Janet (44) and Jeff (44)
Joshua (angel) '85
Sarah-age 22
Jaret-age 5
Jacey-born 2/22/08 (dx w/ Ds 9/10/07)

use the pirate mural from either place on the longest wall of the room (you can even cut them to go on doors (hollow core or flat ones and go over the closet)

and then use PVC pipe to make a huge canopy for her bed (you can spray paint pvc to look like bamboo ) or make them big palm trees....... and thedn get a lot of grass skirts (not the kinD you had) but real ones...... to make a cottage top ( thatched roof beach hut) and get an old chest (make sure to break the locks) and paint to look like a treasure chest to store clothes or blankets........

_________________
Jane
mom to
Colin Miguel (11/19/00) DS
Devon Richard(4/13/01) DS & Autism
Melea Isabelle(2/13/02) DS
Adrian Elliott (7/04/03)
Eliza Marisol (5/15/04) DS
Miranda Olivia (2/1/05) DS & Partial Complex Seisure Disorder & iratractable epilepsy
Jordan Alexander(3/17/2007)
Emerson James (1/08/2009) 33 week preemie


wife to the best & greatest guy Eric




http://princessgrumpy.blogspot.com/
read about the daily adventures of Princess grumpy and her special siblings and their daily adventures

http://thegrumpyfamily.blogspot.com/
the family blog of our unique & special family

could use the little wall art stickers to make a map on the outside of door and peronalize it for angela.... with thing she knows...... dending on budget..... maybe get some made from angela's pictues and the dogs.....

or on the inside wall.....

i wish i had time to come to come and paint for you......

also hot glue and sisal rope over a cement tube (tube to pour a cement peir) can make a great bouy to tie up her bed too......

I would spend high bucks on the comforter that you could match to cheap solid sheets you can buy at walmart...... cause she probably goes through sheets as fast as Melea... and there are days I just can't get all the laundry done.........

If I get a change I will send you a sketch or two.....

_________________
Jane
mom to
Colin Miguel (11/19/00) DS
Devon Richard(4/13/01) DS & Autism
Melea Isabelle(2/13/02) DS
Adrian Elliott (7/04/03)
Eliza Marisol (5/15/04) DS
Miranda Olivia (2/1/05) DS & Partial Complex Seisure Disorder & iratractable epilepsy
Jordan Alexander(3/17/2007)
Emerson James (1/08/2009) 33 week preemie


wife to the best & greatest guy Eric




http://princessgrumpy.blogspot.com/
read about the daily adventures of Princess grumpy and her special siblings and their daily adventures

http://thegrumpyfamily.blogspot.com/
the family blog of our unique & special family

Leah,

Do you have a Home Goods store near you? Ours often have nautical decorations, such as port hole windows, captain's wheels, telescopes, etc. They are usually inexpensive.

Michelle

Oh,

...and a little fish net tacked to the corner of the ceiling. ( Hang kind of like the old stuffed animal hammocks.) You can put little plastic fish, star fish and perhaps some of Angela's grass skirt in it.

Michelle

Ok, I think I have the plan formulated in my head. Dean and I just got back from picking up the stuff he needs to finish the bathroom down there, so I was able to price a few other things I needed. I'm excited to bring the plan to fruition. I hope it doesn't take as long as some of our other projects!!!!

_________________
~Leah~

Did you visit my mom's blog today?
http://www.gardenofeagan.blogspot.com

And don't forget to visit MINE!
http://itsmylifemom.blogspot.com/

mom to Noah 23, Tyler 21, Angela 14 (DS)

well I was going to suggest MDF on the headboard and paint it to make it look like the head and tail of the pirate ship and then put a mast in the middle against the wall and hang sheets to it to make it look like the sails

( not very well described!! )


I think we'll have to have pictures once this room is finished ( or even as you start it then we can see a work in progress Leah )

_________________







Please visit Hannah's webpage read all about her journey
Hannah's Video

Actually, I'm very jealous! I want a pirate room (especially if it comes with Johnny Depp OR Orlando Bloom)! I keep thinking about doing it for Jack. Can't wait to see your pics!

_________________
Julie - wife to Allan (5-90),mom to Andrew (6-93), Madelyn (3-96), Tyler (11-98 ), Jackson (ds 10-27-06), and adopting Dashlyn! (ds 3-21-08 )

_________________
Anara
Wife to Craig (wed 3.8.03)
Mom to Clara (DS, Autism, born 8.8.05), Alan Russell (born 3.9.07)

Visit us on Facebook - I finally caved in!
Or my blog: able2able... your special needs resource directory http://www.able2able.com

Asa's Momma wrote:

Watching Pirates of the Caribbean is only going to make it worse and she's going to fall madly in love with Orlando Bloom!!!

I was thinking the same exact thing. Sorry, no suggestions...I'm so not creative but please post pics when you're done

_________________
Angie - Mom to
Samantha 8yrs (DS)
Gerry 7yrs
Abera 6yrs
Brandon 5yrs

For the sail effect, I've seen this done cheaply on design shows with hooks in the ceiling and loops sewn onto the fabric but that gives a different drape:

http://www3.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?ItemID=1553539&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=STY&ShowMenu=T&ShopBy=0&SearchString=ceiling+fans&RefPage=SearchDepartment.aspx&s4PageSize=15&CmCatId=searchresults&Search1Prod=True

_________________
Anara
Wife to Craig (wed 3.8.03)
Mom to Clara (DS, Autism, born 8.8.05), Alan Russell (born 3.9.07)

Visit us on Facebook - I finally caved in!
Or my blog: able2able... your special needs resource directory http://www.able2able.com

I'm slowly collecting stuff for Angela's room. I have the whole thing cleaned out now (and a HUGE PILE OF *&%$ in the basement living room that I'm making Dean go through, and HE has to figure out where to store what he's keeping!) I just need to move the furniture out so the new flooring can go in.

As long as she's been talking about a pirate room, she's been talking about "it has a wheel, and a window." (meaning a port hole.) Now that I'm actually working in the room, she's no longer allowed to be in there, because the finished product is a surprise.

But, look what came today! She won't see it until she sees the room for the first time. It's not small, about 24 inches.

_________________
~Leah~

Did you visit my mom's blog today?
http://www.gardenofeagan.blogspot.com

And don't forget to visit MINE!
http://itsmylifemom.blogspot.com/

mom to Noah 23, Tyler 21, Angela 14 (DS)

have a pirate room too?

_________________
Jane
mom to
Colin Miguel (11/19/00) DS
Devon Richard(4/13/01) DS & Autism
Melea Isabelle(2/13/02) DS
Adrian Elliott (7/04/03)
Eliza Marisol (5/15/04) DS
Miranda Olivia (2/1/05) DS & Partial Complex Seisure Disorder & iratractable epilepsy
Jordan Alexander(3/17/2007)
Emerson James (1/08/2009) 33 week preemie


wife to the best & greatest guy Eric




http://princessgrumpy.blogspot.com/
read about the daily adventures of Princess grumpy and her special siblings and their daily adventures

http://thegrumpyfamily.blogspot.com/
the family blog of our unique & special family

Very cool! Are you mounting it so it can spin and she can steer?

_________________
Anara
Wife to Craig (wed 3.8.03)
Mom to Clara (DS, Autism, born 8.8.05), Alan Russell (born 3.9.07)

Visit us on Facebook - I finally caved in!
Or my blog: able2able... your special needs resource directory http://www.able2able.com

LOVE the ship's wheel!

_________________
Julie - wife to Allan (5-90),mom to Andrew (6-93), Madelyn (3-96), Tyler (11-98 ), Jackson (ds 10-27-06), and adopting Dashlyn! (ds 3-21-08 )

Love the new siggy pix - she looks like she's 16! You must be freaking out!

_________________
Anara
Wife to Craig (wed 3.8.03)
Mom to Clara (DS, Autism, born 8.8.05), Alan Russell (born 3.9.07)

Visit us on Facebook - I finally caved in!
Or my blog: able2able... your special needs resource directory http://www.able2able.com

Leah,
I just posted a link to my new bus. website, but on it, there are pirate expressions and embellishments that look just like stencils. One says A Pirates life for me, and there are pirate ships under "embellishments" You can also customize any expression you choose.
here's the link: http://christysomerville.uppercaseliving.net

_________________


http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/2;10750;443/st/20070224/n/Lilly/k/75c3/age.png[/img]


Christy,
Wife to Bryan
Mom to Lilly (DS) 2/07

Here's what came yesterday.



We also had a really cool visitor yesterday, who's going to be working some pirate magic!

_________________
~Leah~

Did you visit my mom's blog today?
http://www.gardenofeagan.blogspot.com

And don't forget to visit MINE!
http://itsmylifemom.blogspot.com/

mom to Noah 23, Tyler 21, Angela 14 (DS)

I've never seen a pirate flag like that - very cool.

Can't wait to hear more about the mystery visitor.

_________________
Anara
Wife to Craig (wed 3.8.03)
Mom to Clara (DS, Autism, born 8.8.05), Alan Russell (born 3.9.07)

Visit us on Facebook - I finally caved in!
Or my blog: able2able... your special needs resource directory http://www.able2able.com

How is the room coming along?? Justin wants his room done with HSM3... so he got the "Troy room" that looks a little like the one shown in the video... My mom is working up the curtains for him and then I am just going to put posters all over... have no creativity in me...lol

_________________
Kim and Justin (08/15/95)

Angela will be moved into the Pirate Room this weekend, while she's at her dads. She still hasn't seen it yet, nor will she until the big reveal on Sunday night! You are never going to believe this room! Every day it gets better and better, with one more cool detail added. The new flooring goes in on Weds, and the new door on Thursday. Then Friday after she leaves we'll start moving her stuff down. Somewhere in there Dean is going to build the shelves I want in her closet.

I will say this: There is a guy named Tony who is my new hero!!!! I can't wait to tell you all about him.

_________________
~Leah~

Did you visit my mom's blog today?
http://www.gardenofeagan.blogspot.com

And don't forget to visit MINE!
http://itsmylifemom.blogspot.com/

mom to Noah 23, Tyler 21, Angela 14 (DS)

That is EXCITING!!!!!!!!

Michelle

Hi Leah, I came across this when searching for something. How'd the room turn out? I wanna see it now after reading all the posts!

_________________
Karen- Mum to the world's cutest baby!! Ben